ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Government announces some relaxation in wheat export notification; Allows wheat consignment already registered with Customs prior to the order
The government has announced some relaxation to its order dated 13th May issued by Directorate General of Foreign Trade , Department of Commerce on restricting wheat exports. It has been decided that wherever wheat consignments have been handed over to Customs for examination and have been registered into their systems on or prior to 13.5.2022, such consignments would be allowed to be exported.
The government also allowed a wheat consignment headed for Egypt, which was already under loading at the Kandla port. This followed a request by the Egyptian government to permit the wheat cargo being loaded at the Kandla port. M/s Mera International India Pvt. Ltd., the company engaged for export of the wheat to Egypt, had also given a representation for completion of loading of 61,500 MT of wheat of which 44,340 MT of wheat had already been loaded and only 17,160 MT was left to be loaded. The government decided to permit the full consignment of 61,500 MT and allowed it to sail from Kandla to Egypt.
The Government of India had earlier restricted wheat exports to manage the overall food security situation in India and to support the needs of neighbouring and vulnerable countries that are adversely affected by the sudden changes in the global market for wheat and are unable to access adequate wheat supplies. According to this order, this restriction would not apply in cases where prior commitments have been made by private trade through Letter of Credit as well as in situations where permission is granted by the Government of India to other countries to meet their food security needs and on the requests of their governments.
The order served three main purposes: ensure India’s food security and check inflation, it helps other countries facing food deficit, and it maintains India’s reliability as a supplier. The order also aimed to provide a clear direction to the wheat market to prevent hoarding of wheat supplies.
Ministry of Power
REC’s subsidiary RECPDCL hands over two Special Purpose Vehicles of Transmission Projects to Power Grid Corporation of India Limited
REC Power Distribution Company Limited , a wholly owned subsidiary of REC Limited under Ministry of Power, handed over two projects specific Special Purpose Vehicles  'Fatehgarh Bhadla Transco Limited' & 'Sikar New Transmission Limited' to M/s Power Grid Corporation of India Limited yesterday in the presence of CEO & Jt. CEO, RECPDCL and officials from Power Grid Corporation of India Limited.
The selection of M/s Power Grid Corporation of India Limited was carried out through Tariff Based Competitive Bidding  for selection of Transmission Developers in line with the Standard Bidding Documents and Guidelines thereof as notified by Ministry of Power, Government of India.
About REC Limited: REC Limited is a Navratna NBFC focusing on Power Sector Financing and Development across India. Established in 1969, REC Limited has completed over fifty years in the area of its operations. It provides financial assistance to state electricity boards, state governments, central/state power utilities, independent power producers, rural electric cooperatives and private sector utilities. Its business activities involve financing projects in the complete power sector value chain; different type of projects includes Generation, Transmission, Distribution Projects, and Renewable Energy projects.
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Functioning of Lokpal Office
Upon the recommendation of the Selection Committee under section 4 of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, the President of India appointed the Chairperson and eight Members  by warrant under his hand and seal on 19th March, 2019. Chairperson and Members have assumed charge of their respective positions respectively on 23rd March, 2019 and 27th March, 2019. Institution of Lokpal is thus now functional. Details of Chairperson and Members of Lokpal are as follows:
Details of Chairperson and Members of Lokpal
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S.No.
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Name
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Position
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1.
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Shri Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose
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Chairperson
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2.
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Shri Justice Dilip Babasaheb Bhosale
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Member

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3.
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Shri Justice Pardip Kumar Mohanty
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Member

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4.
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Smt. Justice AbhilashaKumari
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Member

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5.
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Shri Justice Ajay Kumar Tripathi
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Member

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6.
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Shri Dinesh Kumar Jain
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Member
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7.
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Smt. Archana Ramasundaram
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Member
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8.
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Shri Mahender Singh
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Member
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9.
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Dr. Indrajeet Prasad Gautam
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Member
Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013 provides for the establishment of a body of Lokpal for the Union and Lokayukta for States to inquire into allegations of corruption against certain public functionaries and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. The body of Lokpal has been statutory envisaged to bring in place a more effective mechanism to receive complaints against public servants including high functionaries and to inquire into them and take follow up action to effectively curb corruption.
This information was provided by the Union Minister of State  Development of North-Eastern Region , MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
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VG/NK/JMS
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Ministry of Food Processing Industries
Loans for setting up of FPIs
Food and agro-processing activities including cold chain are included in the Priority Sector Lending  norms of the Reserve Bank of India . As reported by the RBI, there is no separate target for lending by banks to food and agro-processing units under the Priority Sector Lending guidelines. Loans to food and agro-processing units up to Rs 100 crore per borrower from the banking system, can be classified as lending to agriculture under PSL. Also, loans to MSMEs engaged in “food and agro processing” are eligible for classification under PSL. Data on credit outstanding to food and agro-processing sector under PSL norms during the last three years and current year is as under:

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31-Mar-19
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31-Mar-20
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31-Mar-21
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30-Sep-21
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State Bank of India
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22236.85
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20713.30
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23730.34
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16748.04
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Public Sector Banks, Others
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65286.88
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61445.34
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119402.51
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62225.28
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Private Banks
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41901.48
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43053.34
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54950.79
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44789.99
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Total
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129425.21
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125211.98
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198083.64
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123763.30
The Ministry has not received any complaint related to denying of loans to the entrepreneurs engaged in food processing sector. As and when, any issue related to the banks is raised by the applicants availing benefits under various schemes of Ministry, the same is resolved through active interaction with the bank.
This information was given by Minister of State for M/o Food Processing Industries, Shri Prahlad Singh Patel in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs
3R Forum to Help Entire Asia Pacific Region to Explore and Address the Ways to Utilize Waste as a Resource.
3R Forum Pre - Event Ceremony Welcomes Delegates from all over the World
The Eighth regional 3R Forum will help entire Asia Pacific Region to explore and address the ways to utilize waste as a resource said Sh. V K Jindal, Mission Director  and Joint Secretary in Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, in Indore today.He said that India is hosting the event at an opportune time when the country has embarked on the ambitious mission of Swachh Bharat.The Eighth regional 3R forum commenced today with a pre-inauguration ceremony which welcomed the delegates from around the world and the country.
Addressing the forum , Ms. Birgitte Bryld, Senior Economic Affairs Officer, UN DESA said that forum seeks to engage public and private stakeholders to explore various partnership opportunities in 3R waste management and emphasised on 3R to be integrated in local level policy making in pursuit of sustainable development.The participants were welcomed in the opening address by Sh. Manish Singh , Commissioner of Indore Municipal Corporation.
The event will be inaugurated by Smt. Sumitra Mahajan, Speaker of the Lok Sabha and Sh. Hardeep S. Puri, Minister of State , Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs on 10th April 2018. Sh.Tadahiko Ito, State Minister, Ministry of the Environment, Japan will also be present at the event.The Eighth Regional 3R Forum will see participation of around 40 mayors of cities aroundthe world and mayors of more than 100 cities across India.The highlight of the event will be a series of sessions with mayors focusing on sustainable urban development and forging of inter-municipal partnerships and cooperation at the national and international level.The signing and subsequent adoption of the ‘Indore 3R Declaration on Achieving Clean Water,Clean Land and Clean Air’ in cities by mayors and city authorities is the major expected outcome of the event.Apart from a series of plenary sessions to be spread over three days, the Forum will also host the International 3R Exhibition and various technical cum cultural field visits for its delegates. The Forum will also recognise and reward industries and civil society organisations carrying out exceptional work in the area of 3R for waste management through the 3R Awards scheduled for April 12.
IFSC Authority
Global Access to Broker Dealers
The International Financial Services Centres Authority  Regulations, 2021  have been notified in October 2021 providing the regulatory framework for various categories of capital market intermediaries operating in the International Financial Services Centres , including broker dealers.
The broker dealers play a significant role in development of the capital market ecosystem, particularly retail participation. The Expert Committee Report on IFSC International Retail Business Development had recommended that the broker dealers in the IFSC may be provided access to global markets.
Based on the representations received from stakeholders at various forums and in line with the practices in some of the competing offshore jurisdictions, the broker dealers in the IFSC have been permitted access to global exchanges outside IFSC with adequate checks and balances.
The broker dealer in the IFSC is permitted to access global access through any of the following manners:
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- Cross-border arrangement with an entity providing access to an exchange outside IFSC, provided that such entity is a regulated entity in the other jurisdiction; or
- Registering itself as a trading member of an exchange outside IFSC, provided that the broker dealer is trading on its proprietary account and does not have any client dealing.
The broker dealer providing global access shall comply with the regulatory provisions of the CMI Regulations and conditions laid out in the circular issued in this regard.
Further details on the global access are available on the IFSCA website at https://ifsca.gov.in/Circular
Ministry of Defence
Diamond Jubilee of the Oldest Naval Air Squadron
Indian Navy's first Naval Air Squadron 550 celebrated its Diamond Jubilee on 17 Jun 19 at naval base Kochi. Completing 60 glorious years of yeoman service to the nation, Indian Naval Air Squadron  550 has played a key role in training the Navy's Maritime Reconnaissance pilots and observers and has provided invaluable maritime support to our fleet.
To commemorate the occasion, various outreach activities and community events have been conducted by the squadron. An Organ Donation Awareness Lecture was conducted on 11 Jun 19, which saw an overwhelming response from the families of officers and sailors of the Southern Naval Command.
First day cover was released by the Postal department to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the squadron by Assistant Superintendent of post office central region, and Senior post master Kerela at Ernakulam Head post office, Kochi on 17 Jun 2019. The same evening a function was also conducted to honour and felicitate all the veterans and serving officers of the squadron. The event was graced by Vice Admiral AK Chawla, AVSM, NM, VSM, Flag Officer Commanding in Chief , Southern Naval Command , as the Chief Guest. During the event, a trophy in memory of Late Lieutenant Simon George Pynumootil was instituted by the family of the officer to be presented to the Most Spirited Officer of the Dornier Operational Flying Training course. This trophy is being instituted to immortalise the spirit of the officer who was a qualified Islander pilot and lost his life in a fatal air crash whilst serving in the squadron on 17 May 1985.
On 18 Jun 19, a seminar on Technological Advancements to Mitigate Challenges in Airborne Maritime Reconnaissance was conducted at Sagarika was conducted. Vice Admiral AK Chawla, AVSM, NM, VSM, FOC-in-C, SNC was the Chief Guest for the event and delivered the Keynote address.
The squadron has flown 14 different types of aircraft starting with the Sea land Aircraft to the Dornier maritime reconnaissance aircraft being presently flown. The squadron has been part of several operations, from the 1971 Indo-Pak war to Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief  operations during the December 2004 Tsunami, Cyclone Okhi in 2017 and the 2018 Kerala floods.
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment felicitated International Para Swimmer Shri Satendra Singh Lohia
The Minister congratulated Shri Lohia for his outstanding effort in bringing glory to the nation
Dr. Virendra Kumar, The Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment today felicitated International Para Swimmer Shri Satendra Singh Lohia who scripted History by crossing the English Channel to and fro.
Speaking on the occasion, the Social Justice and Empowerment Minister congratulated Shri Satendra Singh Lohia for his outstanding effort in bringing glory to the nation. The Minister interacted with Shri Satendra Singh Lohia about his successful and inspiring journey, achievements and challenges.
Shri Satendra Singh Lohia also met Shri Rajesh Aggarwal, Secretary, DEPwD along with the senior officers of the Department. Sh. Rajesh Aggarwal took suggestions from Sh. Satendra Singh Lohia for the Sports Centre which is going to be established at Gwalior.
Satendra Singh expressed his gratitude to HMSJE Dr.Virendra Kumar and Sh. Rajesh Aggarwal for this felicitation programme.
Ministry of Communications
Chief Election Commissioner Shri Sushil Chandra interacts with ITS probationers of 2018 & 2019 batch
Chief Election Commissioner of India Shri Sushil Chandra interacted with the trainee officers of the Indian Telecommunications Service of 2018 and 2019 batch today in Nirvachan Sadan, New Delhi.
The interaction was part of a two day training program of Indian Telecommunications Service  officers at India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management .
ITS is a Group ‘A’ Central Civil Service post of the Union of India. The service meets the technical and managerial functions of the government in areas related to telecommunications. The Department of Telecommunications , under the Ministry of Communications is responsible for Cadre Control and policy decisions such as cadre structure, recruitment, training, cadre deputation, pay and allowances, and disciplinary matters of the ITS officers.
The Officers of Indian Telecommunication Service work in policy formulation and policy implementation of the Department of Telecommunication. ITS Officers also perform the role of Telegraph Authority in the field at all the Licence Service Areas and Large Telecom Districts of the country, to ensure that service providers adhere to the licence conditions and for taking care of telecom network security issues and crackdown on illegal / clandestine telecom operations.
Prime Minister's Office
English translation of Remarks by Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi at the India-Japan Business Event
My friend, Prime Minister Kishida ji,
Delegates of both countries,
My colleagues in the Union Cabinet,
The Finance Minister of Gujarat, Shri Kanubhai Desai,
All members of the India-Japan Business Leaders Forum,
You are all welcome.
Namaskar everyone!
A very warm welcome to Prime Minister Kishida ji and all friends who have come from Japan to India.
I am very happy that after a gap of more than two years we will be able to resume the series of summit level meetings between India and Japan.
Our economic relations are the strongest pillar of the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership.
In the post-Covid era, for Economic Recovery and Economic Security, the India-Japan Economic Partnership will provide confidence and resilience not only to the two countries, but also to the region and the world.
Reforms and our production linked incentive schemes, which are being undertaken widely in India, are creating more positive ecosystems than ever before.
Excellency,
India's National Infrastructure Pipeline has more than 9000 projects worth one point eight trillion dollars which provide many opportunities for cooperation.
I hope that Japanese companies will enthusiastically participate in our efforts. And for this, we are also committed to extend all possible support to Japanese companies in India.
Friends,
Progress, prosperity and partnership are at the core of India-Japan relations. The India Japan Business Leaders Forum has an important role to play in taking forward the economic relations of the two countries. For this, I congratulate all of you and extend my best wishes.
Thank you very much!
DISCLAIMER: This is the approximate translation of Prime Minister’s remarks. Original remarks were delivered in Hindi.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID-19 Vaccination Update- Day 221
India’s Cumulative COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage crosses 59.47 Cr
More than 54.67 lakh Vaccine Doses administered today till 7 pm
India’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage has crossed 59.47 Crore  as per the 7 pm provisional report today. More than 54 lakh  Vaccine Doses have been administered today, as per the 7 pm provisional report.Final reports would be completed for the day by late tonight.
The cumulative coverage of vaccine doses, segregated based on population priority groups, is as follows:
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|
|
|
Cumulative Vaccine Dose Coverage
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|
|
|
Healthcare workers
|
|
Frontline workers
|
|
People Aged 18-44 Years
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|
People Aged 45-59 Years
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|
People Aged ≥ 60 Years
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Total
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|
1st Dose
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|
10354204
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|
18309215
|
|
223359860
|
|
124197841
|
|
83989658
|
|
460210778
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
8249276
|
|
12705601
|
|
21137082
|
|
49913255
|
|
42549759
|
|
134554973
Today’s achievement in the vaccination exercise, segregated by population priority groups, is as follows:
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|
|
|
Date: 24thAugust, 2021 
|
|
|
|
Healthcare workers
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Frontline workers
|
|
People Aged 18-44 Years
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|
People Aged 45-59 Years
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|
People Aged ≥ 60 Years
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Total
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1st Dose
|
|
475
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|
1945
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|
2867784
|
|
679170
|
|
279664
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|
3829038
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
15338
|
|
62536
|
|
777822
|
|
520242
|
|
262575
|
|
1638513
The vaccination exercise as a tool to protect the most vulnerable population groups in the country from COVID-19 continues to be regularly reviewed and monitored at the highest level.
Ministry of Drinking Water & Sanitation
Toilet campaign accelerated in Bihar in the run-up to the Champaran celebrations on April 10th
The Swachh Bharat Mission  recently celebrated the culmination of the Champaran centenary celebrations and a weeklong “Satyagraha se Swachhagraha” campaign run in Bihar from 3rd April onwards. On April 10, 2018, the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, addressed around 20,000 Swachhagrahis in Motihari, East Champaran district of Bihar.
In the run-up to this event, the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, in coordination with the Government of Bihar, worked to spread the message of Swachhata across the country by initiating the “Satyagraha se Swachhagraha” campaign from 3rd to 10th April. Around 10,000 Swachhagrahis from different parts of the country were invited to Bihar, where they worked with 10,000 Swachhagrahis from Bihar to “trigger” behaviour change throughout the 38 districts of the State and build momentum of the jan andolan further.
The impetus for this campaign began after the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, took a video conference with District Collectors from the four focus States of the Swachh Bharat Mission , namely, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha and Jammu and Kashmir. At this video conference, the Prime Minister emphasized that there could be no greater inspiration for completing this task, than the 150th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. He urged for teams to be formed at the district level to accelerate progress, especially in the run-up to the 101st anniversary of Bapu’s Champaran Satyagraha.
Motivated by the Prime Minister’s address, the districts of the four States showed unprecedented progress in the days that followed. From March 14th to April 10th 2018, Bihar saw 10.2 lakh toilets being built across its 38 districts. Most of this activity was seen during the Satyagraha se Swachhagraha campaign , wherein the focused activity by 20,000 Swachhagrahis across the State lent greater momentum to the campaign.
It has been reported by some media outlets that such a rate of progress is impossible based on the calculation of a “per day” or “per minute” rate of toilet construction, working backwards from these figures. This is an incorrect interpretation of the data of the progress reported in Bihar. A twin pit toilet typically takes 3-4 days to construct, and this activity happened in parallel across approximately 34,000 villages in Bihar. Dividing the total toilets constructed in this period  by the number of villages in Bihar, this works out to 1.1 toilet constructed per day per village, which is easily doable. To calculate a “per minute” rate of these toilets is therefore misleading, as it incorrectly assumes construction of all toilets in one village sequentially.
Some media outlets have raised questions on the toilets constructed during this period. The Bihar government is working on identifying any incomplete toilets after the pits were dug for them in the period of the campaign, and is focusing on completing them urgently. Any misrepresentation of data on part of local administration will be strictly dealt with by the Bihar Government.
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